Flat-earthers: Inside the bewildering world of those who refuse to accept a round Earth

“It is easier for the world to accept a simple lie than a complex truth.” Alexis de Tocqueville's words perfectly capture the flat Earth phenomenon, driven by cognitive biases, social identity, and a deep-seated distrust of authorities. Some flat-earthers may not truly believe the world is flat; they might just enjoy provoking reactions. If that's the case, well played, flat-earthers.

Psychologists often attribute the flat Earth movement to cognitive dissonance—flat earthers have an incredible ability to rationalize away any contradictory evidence. Social media exacerbates this by creating echo chambers that reinforce existing beliefs. This community validation is crucial; being a flat earther isn't just about rejecting science—it's about belonging to a group that sees itself as enlightened and brave in the face of widespread deception.

Prominent scientists have weighed in on this phenomenon with a mix of bewilderment and humor. Neil deGrasse Tyson, the celebrated astrophysicist, famously said, "The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it." Bill Nye, the Science Guy, is equally exasperated, stating, "When you deny the body of knowledge that's been discovered through the process of science, you're holding all of us back, and this is why it's such an important time."

One of the most striking aspects of flat earther beliefs is their deep distrust of mainstream science and organizations like NASA. Flat earthers argue that all space photographs and videos are doctored or fake, part of a vast, hugely successful multinational conspiracy to hide the "truth" about a flat Earth. In their view, scientists and astronauts are either duped or complicit in this grand deception. The ultimate goal of this effort remains unclear, but flat earthers believe it must be worth a centuries-long, worldwide conspiracy executed with such precision that no evidence of it has ever been found.

The 2018 documentary Behind the Curve is a treasure trove of flat earthers inadvertently disproving their own theories. For instance, flat earther Bob Knodel spent $20,000 on a laser gyroscope experiment to prove the Earth doesn't rotate. To his dismay, the gyroscope detected a 15-degree per hour drift, perfectly consistent with the Earth's rotation. Knodel's reaction? Instead of accepting the evidence, he and his team sought ways to discredit it.

Another gem from Behind the Curve features Jeran Campanella conducting an experiment with a flashlight and boards with holes at different distances. According to Campanella's theory, if the Earth were flat, the light would pass through all the holes. When the light was obstructed, demonstrating the Earth's curvature, Campanella attributed the failure to other factors, remaining a staunch flat earther. Watch the flashlight experiment here.

The extreme beliefs of flat-earthers have led to real-life consequences. Mike Hughes, known as "Mad Mike," built a steam-powered rocket to see the Earth's curvature, or lack thereof, for himself. Tragically, Hughes died on February 22, 2020, near Barstow, California, when his homemade rocket crashed.

Flat earthers find community and validation online, where algorithms on platforms like YouTube recommend related content, reinforcing their beliefs. This echo chamber effect continually supports and amplifies their outlandish ideas. Some participants enjoy the challenge of defending an unconventional viewpoint, while others are captivated by the thrill of feeling let in on a secret, even if the secret is fake.

Flat earthers' stubborn beliefs show the importance of standing up for facts. If you encounter a flat earther, don't just walk away—engage them with clear, factual information. There are countless resources online that can help you arm yourself for such a conversation. By directly challenging misinformation, we can foster a society that values truth and scientific integrity.